Technical Editing in the 21st Century

Description

With a focus on both language and technology, Technical Editing: Products & Processes guides the readerthrough each level of editing, each stage of becoming an editor, and each aspect of production after the formal editing is complete. From its realistic scenarios to self-diagnostic exercises, this book is designed to be hands-on–consistently helping students assess and develop their own technical editing skills. Unlike other books, its goal is to move beyond grammar and style to encompass technology issues that reflect the expanding role of the technical editor in the workplace.

For courses in Technical Editing. 

With a focus on both language and technology, Technical Editing in the 21st Century  guides the technical editing student through each level of editing, each stage of becoming an editor, and each aspect of production after the formal editing is complete. From its realistic scenarios to self-diagnostic exercises, this book is designed to be hands-on, consistently helping students assess and develop their own technical editing skills. Unlike other books, its goal is to move beyond grammar and style to encompass technology issues that reflect the expanding role of the technical editor in the workplace.

Hallmark Features:  

Thorough look at technical editing–including the levels of edit, production management issues, the ethical and legal issues of editing and more!

• Reinforces each level of editing, each stage of becoming an editor, and each aspect of production after the formal editing is complete. 

Unique Unit Five–provides a focus on technology that sets this text apart.

• Moves beyond just issues of grammar and style to encompass the technology issues facing the field.
• Devotes chapter coverage to tools and technology (Ch. 3), online publications (Ch. 15), preparing to edit online publications ( Ch. 16), editing online content ( Ch. 17) and production editing of websites (Ch. 18).  

Realistic scenarios–reinforce the books hands-on approach.

• Helps students learn to play the role of technical editor by challenging them with realistic situations they will encounter in the workplace. 

Self-diagnostic exercises–focus on analyzing one’s own skills, motivations and abilities.

• Encourages reflection and helps students determine where development is needed and possible.
• Helps students question their own motivations and desire to enter the technical editing field. 

Skills-based chapter objectives–introduce upcoming material.

• Provide a quick overview of the competencies the students should acquire after completing each chapter. 

Tips for technical editors–are interjected throughout the text.

• Gives guidance to the would-be technical editor and helps identify key take-away points most useful for the field.

Table of Contents  

UNIT 1: THE ESSENTIALS OF EDITING

1.      The Technical Editor

2.      Editors and Writers

3.      Tools and Technology

UNIT 2: EDITING FOR CORRECTNESS

4.      An Introduction to Grammar: What Technical Editors Need to Know

5.      Parts of Speech: Eight Basic Elements of Grammar

6.      The Sentence: Giving Meaning to Words

7.      Punctuation

8.      Mechanics

UNIT 3: EDITING FOR READABILITY

9.      Document Design

10.  Graphics: Intelligence Made Visible

UNIT 4: EDITING FOR EFFECTIVENESS

11.  Editing for Effectiveness: Where Art and Craft Come Together

12.  Style: Making Language Effective

13.  Organization: Where Form and Function Come Together

14.  Logical Writing: The Art of Good Reasoning

UNIT 5: EDITING ONLINE PUBLICATIONS

15.  Online Publications: What Technical Editors Need to Know

16.  Preparing to Edit Online Publications

17.  Editing Online Content

18.  Production Editing of Websites

UNIT 6: TRENDS & ISSUES IN TECHNICAL EDITING

19.  Ethical and Legal issues in Technical Editing

20.  Style Guides

21.  Global and Cultural Issues in Technical Editing

22.  Production and Project Management Issues

23.  Usability Testing on a Budget

24. Technical Editing Careers

REFERENCES

INDEX

For courses in Technical Editing.

With a focus on both language and technology, Technical Editing in the 21st Century guides the technical editing student through each level of editing, each stage of becoming an editor, and each aspect of production after the formal editing is complete. From its realistic scenarios to self-diagnostic exercises, this book is designed to be hands-on, consistently helping students assess and develop their own technical editing skills. Unlike other books, its goal is to move beyond grammar and style to encompass technology issues that reflect the expanding role of the technical editor in the workplace.